Dead Show/podcast for 10/16/26

This week we travel back to the fall of 1989 for the first set of the Grateful Dead's October 20 show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia—a performance that's been called their longest of the year.

This was one of the band's high-water periods, in my opinion, and you can hear the energy and enthusiasm from the first notes of "Touch of Grey." Brent's contributions are a big part of what makes this show so enjoyable, not only on his own "Just a Little Light," but on "Tennessee Jed" as well.

Played just three days after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the show also featured the Dead's first performance of Rodney Crowell's "California Earthquake," which closes the first set.

Grateful Dead

The Spectrum

Philadelphia, PA

10/20/1989 - Friday

Set One

Touch Of Grey [6:19]

Greatest Story Ever Told [4:10]

Candyman [6:44]

Picasso Moon [7:26]